South Africans are leading the way in using drones, artificial intelligence and other digital technology tools to reshape wildlife conservation management and reduce conflict between people and wildlife.
Whether tracking rhino poachers at night, locating the nests of endangered vultures or herding elephants away from farmers' fields, South Africans are taking full advantage of advanced AI technology, drones and thermal imaging in conservation management projects across Africa.
Last year, South African-born conservationist and safari company owner Karel Verhoef deployed a small fleet of drones and ranger pilots to escort a herd of 150 elephants up to 70km at night near the border between Tanzania and Kenya. They have also used drones to lure predatory lions away from Maasai cattle.
Closer to home, Johannesburg-based entrepreneur Willem Kellerman and his team of tech funders at Chisel/Verifi AI Group recently completed a major drone-based wildlife census covering more than 100,000 hectares across several private game reserves near the Kruger National Park.
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During the Project Gaia wildlife census in Sabi Sands, Timbavati, Kwandwe and Karongwe reserves, Kellerman's team collected approximately Three million high-resolution images (at a rate of five every 0.7 seconds), after which they used machine-learning techniques and a battery of Nvidia graphics processing units to identify and map the precise location of more than 50 wildlife species.
Rhino-killing hotspot in Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Park…